Wednesday, January 9, 2013

International Summer School of Rusyn Language and Culture

If you are considering participating in the Studium
Carpato-Ruthenorum International Summer School for Rusyn Language and Culture,
you might be wondering what it’s like to live in Presov, in the dorm. What is
the food like? What are the history and folklore sessions like and the language
class? –First, here are some descriptions of the living situation. In another
installment you’ll hear about the classes and faculty.

Prešov is a small but bustling city—a lovely place to spend
a few weeks. It resembles other small cities and towns in Central Europe with
its large main central “square” on which are located some significant and
beautiful historical buildings and stores, lots of flowers, and people heading
on their way to work, shopping, or strolling just for fun. An initial walking
tour with Studium guides will immediately show you that there is much to
explore on your own time and also that it’s not difficult or complicated to
find your way around.

The main street which runs through this central square is
called Hlavná ulica or, literally,“Main Street.” Just off Hlavná ulica is a picturesque side street called
Florian ulica. Here you will find some coffee shops where you can sit either
inside or outside and enjoy a fragrant coffee or an icy beer, relax, enjoy the
company of new friends, and people-watch. And there is nothing as refreshing as
the unforgettable ice cream in the “Croatia” ice cream shop on Florian (and
found elsewhere in town) with its large window open onto the street and serving
a variety of scrumptious flavors. You will always find a line of patrons there!
The fruit ice creams or various chocolate varieties are among the more
amazingly vibrant tastes you’ll ever experience. I’m serious about this—really!
You’ll definitely need to visit this shop more than once. The walk back to the
dorm from Hlavná ulica takes about 10 minutes or 15 at a more relaxed pace. The
more walking you do, the more ice cream you can justifiably enjoy.

Also located on the main square area is a TESCO department
store. Its lower level is reserved for grocery shopping, and Slovakia offers
everything you could want in terms of food and drink there and in other grocery
stores. The TESCO sell all kinds of goods, including clothes and souvenirs.
Studium guides can also direct you to a bus that stops in front of the dorm
(they’ll teach you how to buy a ticket from the vending machine by the bus
stop—very easy) and this bus takes you within a few minutes to another newer
and larger TESCO. The Prešov mall, also accessible by bus, is completely modern
and offers a chance for even more serious shopping of all kinds.

One of the views from the dorm down toward the cafes. See where the open air covers are on the sidewalk across the street from the dorm.

The dorm houses international Studium students on the 11th
floor which was renovated just a couple of years ago. Most of the dorms rooms
are suites of two “bedrooms” with two beds each, and each suite has a toilet
which is in a separate little cubby from the sink and shower. It has been
possible for previous participants to ask for a bedroom for one person for a
few extra dollars, and this may be the case again. The views from the 11th
floor are truly stunning. From one side, for instance, you can see into the
distance toward the village of Kapušany, and if you look carefully, you can
actually see the ruins of Kapušany castle high up on a craggy hill (For a view
of the castle from a hang glider’s perspective, see this Youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4O1QcQNm0A).
From another side of the dorm, you look down at the swiftly flowing Torysa
River which runs through Prešov and offers a walking and running trail for
residents and visitors. Wifi is available in the rooms, as are small
refrigerators. There are two kitchens with a stove and a smattering of pots,
dishes, and mugs, and each has an additional and larger refrigerator for
residents to use. Some of us became proficient at using the European washing
machine and dryer located in the kitchen areas, others simply washed out items
of clothing by hand and hung them on travel drying lines stretched across the
room. Bring light summer clothing, and washing clothes won’t be a problem at
all.

A section of the university cafeteria where Studium participants often eat

Breakfast at Studium

The cafeteria is located just across the parking lot from
the dorm. Previous participants in the Studium have graciously offered their
advice to the Studium organizers concerning what kinds of foods were most
appreciated. There will sometimes be delicious pastries and hearty bread and
butter, sometimes cheese and ham, at other times eggs and yogurt, and even
granola, for breakfast. Lunch always starts with a delicious soup served family
style, followed by a variety of dishes made of meat and potatoes, some fish,
several versions of baked dough. Salads have been available, as well, and
international participants have encouraged this trend so that the cafeteria
managers are beginning to understand more and more what is successful and what
is not. Some dishes that were served for lunch or for supper (which is usually
lighter than lunch, as is typically European style) were a bit difficult for us
to define, made of thick dough and other ingredients. The occasional serving of
pirohŷ is always a hit. A sense of humor definitely makes the experience of
dealing with the food fun. You’ll have some amusing memories from this aspect
of the program—but you’ll never need to go hungry, believe me. And with a visit
to TESCO, you can always find a few snacks or pieces of fruit to supplement the
cafeteria diet.

The Ballada Coffee Shop

Perhaps the most beloved spot for Studium participants has
been the Ballada coffee shop. It’s located directly across the street from the
dorm, a 2-to-3-minute walk from door to door. The Ballada is totally cozy
either downstairs or upstairs. Some of the walls are lined with bookshelves
filled with books, including books about Carpatho-Rusyns; tables are close
together; delicious coffees are served as lattes, cappuccinos, and in other
forms, along with pastries, and tea and refreshing beers are also available.
The atmosphere inside is perfect. But patrons can also sit outside at small
tables in a covered area. This is a great place to relax with friends, talk,
and just enjoy a late afternoon or evening. Some participants actually find
this a good place to do some studying.

In another post I’ll describe the Studium faculty and
classes and also what a typical day is like.